Multi-functional retainer means, rear view device assembly method and vehicle

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure refers to a retainer assembly adapted to be installed between a base assembly of an exterior rear view device and a vehicle to which the exterior rear view device is mounted, the retainer assembly, comprising a retainer means adapted to be mounted on one side to a door attachment portion of a base frame of the base assembly and on the opposite side to a door panel of the vehicle, wherein the retainer means is provided with at least one opening for allowing at least one datum structural element of the door attachment portion of the base frame to pass thereto, and at least one guiding projection and/or at least one guiding channel portion for providing at least part of a guiding channel for routing and/or guiding at least one harness from the vehicle to an electric component of the rear view device, and/or at least one sealing portion for covering at least a portion of the at least one harness. It also refers to a exterior rear view device with such a retainer assembly, a method for assembling such a rear view device and a vehicle with such a rear view device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to German PatentApplication No. DE 10 2021 107 589.0, filed on Mar. 24, 2021, theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure refers to a retainer assembly adapted to beinstalled between a base assembly of a rear view device and a vehicle,to a rear view device with a head assembly, a base assembly comprisingsuch a retainer assembly, to a method for assembling such a rear viewdevice and attaching the same to a vehicle and to a vehicle with such arear view device.

2. Related Art

A rear view device typically includes a base assembly to be attached toa vehicle and a head assembly to be moveable relative to the baseassembly. Generally the head assembly of a rear view device can berotated between a driving position and a parking position.

The term “rear view” may refer to a view of the surrounding area, whichis not in the field of view of a driver of a vehicle, i.e. thedirections opposing, left, right, below and above of the viewingdirection, but can also comprise the view in the direction of theviewing direction of the driver and/or any combinations of thedirections. The rear view can be achieved via at least one rear viewelement in form of a reflective element like a mirror and/or an imageacquisition means like a camera. The rear view, that is the field ofview of the driver, can be adjusted by moving, in particular rotating,the reflective element and/or the image acquisition means. This in turncan be realized by moving the complete head assembly together with thereflective element and/or the image acquisition means such that the headassembly of the rear view device can be rotated also between a pluralityof viewing position.

For moving the head assembly, the reflective element and/or the imageacquisition means an actuator assembly is comprised by the rear viewdevice, which can be controlled by a first control unit within thevehicle. Also the image acquisition means can be controlled via a secondcontrol unit, wherein both control units may be formed together.However, for the purpose of controlling data have to be transferredbetween the rear view device and the control unit within the vehiclerequiring a harness.

For facilitating moving the head assembly together with the reflectiveelement and/or the image acquisition means specific pivot joint systemshave been developed, see WO 2018/215599 A1, as well as specific actuatorassemblies, see WO 2019/002627 A1.

The structure of the base assembly of an exterior rear view device isimportant as it provides means for connecting the device to a vehicle.US 2020/0001791 A1 refers to a base assembly of an exterior rear viewdevice, comprising a base frame; and a base cover housing the base frameand formed in at least two parts connected to each other, wherein thebase assembly comprises a first opening at a first end of the baseassembly at which the base frame is configured to be attached to avehicle and a second opening at a second end of the base assembly atwhich a head assembly of the exterior rear view device is configured tobe attached to the base frame, wherein at least one of a first sealingmeans at the first opening is provided comprising a two-component gasketwith a hard component and a soft component, the hard componentcomprising: at least one first connection element configured to engageat least one first connection element of a first cover part; and atleast one first connection element of a second cover part configured toprovide a locking connection between the first cover part and the secondcover part, and/or a second sealing means at the second opening iscomprising a two-component gasket with a hard component and a softcomponent, the hard component comprising: at least one second connectionelement configured to engage at least one second connection element ofthe first cover part; and at least one second connection element of thesecond cover part to provide a locking connection between the firstcover part and the second cover part.

The base frame fulfills a multitude of functions, in particular that ofsupporting the head assembly and connecting the same as well aselectronic components of the exterior rear view device to the vehicleand a central control unit within the vehicle, the latter requiring aharness to be safely guided and sealed, electrically as well as withrespect to moisture. As the base frame is made of metal, often aluminum,fulfilling said functions is a challenge.

SUMMARY

An example object of the present disclosure is to provide a retainerassembly suited to be installed between a base assembly of a rear viewdevice and a vehicle, assisting in fulfilling the tasks of guiding andsealing a harness on its path from the interior of the vehicle into theexterior rear view device attached to the vehicle.

This object may be achieved according to a first aspect by a retainerassembly adapted to be installed between a base assembly of an exteriorrear view device and a vehicle to which the exterior rear view device ismounted, the retainer assembly comprising a retainer means adapted to bemounted on one side to a door attachment portion of a base frame of thebase assembly and on the opposite side to a door panel of the vehicle,wherein the retainer means is provided with at least one opening forallowing at least one datum structural element of the door attachmentportion of the base frame to pass thereto, and at least one guidingprojection and/or at least one guiding channel portion for providing atleast part of a guiding channel for routing and/or guiding at least oneharness from the vehicle to an electric component of the rear viewdevice, and/or at least one sealing portion for covering at least aportion of the at least one harness.

According to one embodiment the at least one opening is provided by aholding portion, with preferably a first opening allowing a location pinof the door attachment portion to pass thereto, and/or at least onesecond opening allowing a T shaped location projection of the doorattachment portion to pass thereto.

According to another embodiment at least one first hook and/or firstclip is provided by the holding portion for attachment to the doorpanel, and/or at least one second hook and/or second clip is provided bythe holding portion for attachment to the door attachment portion, withpreferably the first and second hook(s) and/or clips(s) extending inopposite directions.

It is proposed that the first hook is adapted to hold the rear viewdevice in Y direction to assist an assembly thereof to the door panel,preferably via screws, and/or the first clip determines the finalassembly Z position of the rear view device, and/or the first clip isarranged next to the first opening, and/or the first hook provides theat least one second opening, and/or there are at least two second clips.

The retainer means may be provided with at least one datum area and/orwith at least one T shaped location projection within a datum area for abase cover. The retainer means may form a single component, preferablyfrom plastic.

The disclosure also proposes that the retainer assembly furthercomprises a sealing means adapted to be mounted on the retainer means,preferably by being attached to the retainer means via at least one snapand/or chip connection and/or to the door attachment portion, inparticular via at least one screw, clips and/or snap connection. Thesealing means may be in form of a 2K door gasket and/or may be providedwith at least one datum area for a base cover.

The present disclosure provides according to a second aspect an exteriorrear view device with a base assembly for attachment to a vehicle, ahead assembly with at least one reflective element and/or imageacquisition means, with the head assembly being moveable relative to thebase assembly, and a retainer assembly according to the presentdisclosure, wherein the sub-assembly of the base frame, the sealingmeans and the retainer means forms a channel for positioning a glass runseal, in particular allocated to a cheater panel.

According to one embodiment the base frame is provided at a first endwith the door attachment portion and at a second end with a headattachment portion, with the major portion between theses ends beingprovided in form of an arm, wherein preferably the door attachmentportion extends substantially perpendicularly to the arm.

It is also proposed that the door attachment portion is provided with anopening for a harness holder, wherein preferably the harness holder isprovided with a fixing tie for holding the harness and a cli forengaging said opening such that the harness is firmly located to thebase frame in all directions.

Further, it is proposed that a camera harness is comprised by theharness, with the camera harness preferably splitting off the harnessadapted for routing and/or between the harness holder and the retainermeans. The at least one guiding projection and/or guiding channel isguiding the camera harness, and/or the sealing portion is covering thecamera harness, in particular in a bending region between the doorattachment portion and the arm of the base frame.

The disclosure also describes that the electric component comprises atleast one camera, wherein preferably the camera is arranged in the baseassembly.

According to another embodiment the base cover comprises a base covercap and an upper base cover, wherein preferably the base cover cap andan upper base cover are attached via snap and/or clip connections,and/or the head assembly comprises a lower case with an openingdimensioned such that the base frame with its arm and door attachmentportion together with the retainer means can pass.

Still further, the present disclosure provides according to a thirdaspect a method for assembling the rear view device of the presentdisclosure comprising the following steps: clamping the retaining meanson the door attachment portion of the base frame, guiding the doorattachment portion with the attached retaining means through the openingof the lower case of the head assembly, and clamping the sealing meansonto the door attachment portion and/or the retaining means, whichpreferably the sealing means and the retaining means being screwed ontothe door attachment portion.

The following steps may also be comprised: attaching the harness to thedoor attachment portion via the harness holder, preferably prior to theclamping of the retaining means on the door attachment portion of thebase frame.

Still further, the following steps may be comprised: passing the hook ofthe door attachment portion through a first opening in the door panel toobtain a hang connection, entering screws into the screw openings of thedoor panel and into the screw openings of the door attachment portion,and passing the positioning pin of the door attachment portion through asecond opening in the door panel and clamping the clip of the retainermeans to the door panel by passing through said second opening.

Also the following steps may be comprised: the T shaped locationprojection of the door attachment portion engages the door panel bypassing with its arms through openings provided by the hook, and/or theclip is arranged between the positioning pin and the hook, and/or theclip and the positioning pin engage opposite regions of the secondopening of the door panel.

With the present disclosure it is also proposed that the sub-assembly ofthe base frame, the sealing means and the retainer means forms achannel, and the cheater panel pushes the glass run seal at least partlyinto the channel.

It is also proposed that the base cover cap and the upper base cover areassembled by rotating into clip connecting, and/or the gap between thebase cover cap and the upper base cover on the one side and the door onthe other side is sealed by the glass run seal being pushed againstand/or into the channel as well as the cheater panel during theassembling the base cover cap and the upper base cover.

The present disclosure also provides according to a fourth aspect avehicle with at least one rear view device of the present disclosure, inparticular assembled according to a method of the present disclosuresuch that the base assembly merges out of the glass run seal and/or adoor waist finisher.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description,will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appendeddrawings. For the purpose of illustration, certain examples of thepresent disclosure are shown in the drawings. It should be understood,however, that the present disclosure is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown. The accompanying drawings,which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification,illustrate an implementation of system, apparatuses, and methodsconsistent with the present disclosure and, together with the detaileddescription, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent withthe present disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a part of a base frame of a baseassembly of an exterior rear view device as well as a retainer means ofa retainer assembly to be interposed between the base assembly and avehicle (not shown);

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of the retainer means of FIG. 1 aattached to the base frame of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1 c is a cross-section of the retainer means and the base frame ofFIG. 1 b;

FIG. 1 d is a perspective view of the lower end of the base frame inFIG. 1 a from the opposite side compared to FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1 e is a perspective view of the lower end of the base frame inFIG. 1 a from the same side as FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of a part of the base frame of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view of the retainer means of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 c is a perspective view of retainer means attached to the baseframe of FIG. 1 b;

FIG. 2 d is a perspective view on the retainer means and the base frameattached to the vehicle, from the side of a door panel;

FIGS. 3 a-3 g are perspective views demonstrating the assembly of thebase frame and the retainer means of FIG. 1 with a lower case of a headassembly and a sealing means of the retainer assembly;

FIGS. 4 a-4 e are other perspective views of the assembly stages shownin FIGS. 3 a to 3 e;

FIGS. 5 a-5 c are perspective views demonstrating attachment features ofthe sealing means of FIG. 3 g;

FIGS. 6 a-6 f are perspective views demonstrating the assembly of aglass run seal, a cheater panel, a base cap, a base cover upper withrespect to the door panel and a window; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exterior rear view device of thepresent disclosure with a retaining assembly of the present disclosureand attached to a vehicle door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 a to 2 d show a retainer means 301 of a retainer assembly 300 tobe arranged between a base frame 110 of a base assembly 100 of anexterior rear view device 1 and a door panel 605 of a door 600 of avehicle 2. The retainer means 301 may be manufactured from a plasticmaterial, whereas the base frame 110 is metallic and may be manufacturedfrom aluminum.

The FIGS. 1 a to 1 c also show a harness 400 for electrically connectingin particular a power source and a control unit within the vehicle (notshown) with electric components of the exterior rear view device. Suchelectric components may comprise, as e.g. shown in FIGS. 3 a to 3 g , anactuator assembly 210 suitable for moving a head assembly 200 togetherwith a reflective element (not shown) relative to the base frame 110supporting the head assembly 200, and a camera 700 as well as anindicator means like a turn signal indicator 710 shown in FIG. 7 . Saidharness 400 may comprise a camera harness 410.

The retainer means 301 is a multi-function component. The differentfunctions will be described with respect to the other components of theexterior rear view device 1 as well as the vehicle 2 in the following.

A function of the retainer means 301 is harness sealing, managingharness routing and accommodating variation in the camera harness 410and cleaning systems (not shown), as described in the following:

-   -   The base frame 110 has a door attachment portion 115 at one end,        with said door attachment portion 115 being provided with an        opening 124 for a harness holder 500 at its lower, free end, as        best seen in FIGS. 1 d and 1 e . Said harness holder 500 is        formed with a fixing tie 510 for holding the harness 400 and a        clip 520 for connecting the holder 500 to said door attachment        portion 115 by passing through the opening 124.    -   The base frame harness locator opening feature governs harness        position length the door side and the rear view device side, and        provides a strong retention eliminating risk of the harness 400        being misplaced e.g. by being pulled through during handling.        Further, the locating feature leads to reduced tolerance of        fit-to-door. In other words, the harness 400 is firmly located        to the base frame 110 in all directions allowing a solid datum        strategy for harness lengths and provides the ability to hold as        well as transport the exterior rear view device 1 whilst holding        on to the harness 400.    -   The harness 400 as well as the camera harness 410 divided        therefrom above the harness holder 500 extend between the door        attachment portion 115 of the base frame 110 and a holding        portion 320 of the retainer means 301 to an upper end of the        door attachment portion 115, which turns into a main portion of        the base frame 110 extending away from the door panel 605        towards the head assembly 200, being provided in form of an arm        116, with a head assembly attachment portion 117 of the base        frame 110 being provided at the second end of the base frame 110        opposite the first end, see e.g. FIG. 3 a.    -   The retainer means 301 is provided with a guiding projection 122        for guiding the camera harness 410 to a sealing portion 310 of        the retainer means 301 extending substantially perpendicularly        to the holding portion 320 to cover the camera harness 410 at        its bending region at the transition between the door attachment        portion 115 and the arm 116.    -   While the base frame 110 is provided with a harness guiding        channel portion 140 for guiding the harness 400 and a camera        harness guiding channel portion 123 for guiding the camera        harness 410, the holding portion 320 of the retainer means 301        also provides a camera harness guiding channel portion 340 to        substantially close a channel 420 for the camera harness 410, as        shown in FIG. 1 c.

As the retainer means 301 is not metallic, the sealing of the harness400, together with the camera harness 410, as well as the attachment ofthe metallic base frame 110 to the door panel 605 becomes safer. Thedesign of the retainer means 301 allows to accommodate different sets ofharness and cleaning system for all variations of mirror trim level.Further, the retainer means 301 ensures an easy assembly to seal inparticular the camera harness 410 after being mounted and to manage itsrouting along the base frame door attachment portion 115, withoutdeparting from the commonly used datum system between the base frame 110and the door panel 605, further illustrated in the following:

-   -   The base frame 110 is provided with a location pin 120 as well        as a T shaped location projection 121 belonging to the datum        system ensuring a correct assembly of the components of the        exterior rear view device 1 and a correct attachment of the        exterior rear view device 1 to the vehicle 2. The location pin        120 and the T shaped location projection 121 extend        substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the door panel        605, as can be best seen in FIGS. 2 a and 2 d . The retainer        means 301 is provided with an opening 322 for the location pin        120 and a hook 350 with openings 351 for the arms of T shaped        location projection 121, as can be best seen in FIG. 2 b . FIG.        2 d illustrates that the location pin 120 as well as the T        shaped location projection 121 pass through the respective        openings 322, 351 of the retainer means 301 to also pass        respective openings 610, 620 within the door panel 605 to engage        the same, with the hook 350 of the retainer means 301 ensuring        the respective engagement.    -   The base frame T shaped location projection 121 and the location        pin 120 provide the primary and secondary datum strategy to the        door datum system in X+Z directions, while the Y direction is        controlled using three screw bosses. The door panel 605 in FIG.        2 d shows two screw openings 631 and 632 aligned to two screw        openings 131 and 132 of the base frame 110, respectively, which        in turn pass openings 371 and 372 of the retainer means 301.    -   Thus, the corresponding locating features of the base frame 110        and the retainer means 301 allow base frame datum features to        interface with the door 600 minimizing tolerance of datum        strategy.    -   Further location projections 125, 126 and 127 are provided by        the door attachment portion 115.

The retainer means 301 along with the location pin 120 and the T shapedlocation projection 121 not only provides an accurate assembly to thedoor panel datum system, but also facilitates the assembly as itprovides a robust 3rd hand clip/hanger function, as further illustratedin the following:

-   -   The retainer means 301 provides attachment features to support        assembly to the base frame 110 as well as the door, by being        formed with the hook 350 and clips 315, 316, 360. Two clips 315        and 316 serve the attachment to the base frame 110 as best seen        in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 5 b. The hook 350 primarily serves to hold        the exterior rear view device 1 in Y direction to assist        assembly of the screws (not shown), while the third clip 360 is        on secondary location keyway to highlight when the exterior rear        view device 1 is in its final assembly Z position, as best seen        in FIG. 2 d.

The retainer assembly 300 comprises, in addition to the retainer means301, a sealing means 800 in form of a 2K door gasket. Before describingthe structure and function of the sealing means 301 in detail, in thefollowing further assembly steps via simple clip connections aredescribed with reference to FIGS. 3 a to 5 c:

The slim design of the base frame 110 allows a case lower or lower case220 of the head assembly 200 to be assembled over the door attachmentportion 115 and the arm 116 of the base frame 110 to reach the region ofthe head assembly 200, as shown in FIGS. 3 a to 3 f together with FIGS.4 a to 4 f . In this respect it is to be noted that it is critical toassemble high gloss components like the lower case 220 late in theassembly sequence to minimize risk of damage. For that purpose the lowercase 220 is provided with an opening 222, preferably being substantiallycircular, through which the base frame 110 together with the retainermeans 301 can pass.

The sealing means 800 is mounted after the lower case 220, as shown inFIGS. 3 f and 3 g . The sealing means location strategy is critical asit dictates the datum strategy for the corresponding base covercomponents discussed with respect to FIGS. 6 a to 6 g below.

Thus, the smaller base frame geometry and the provision of a separate 2Kdoor gasket provided by the sealing means 800 permit the lower case 220to be assembled over the base frame 110, and a T section supportstructure for the base cover permits a simple clip together assembly.

In to following the attachment of the sealing means 800 is describedwith reference to FIGS. 5 a to 5 c:

-   -   Four clips 810, 820, 830 and 840 allow to attach the sealing        means 800 to the base frame 110, with the base frame 110        comprising complementary steps 135 and 136 as well as openings        137 and 138.    -   The two screw positions determined by the openings 881, 882        allow to secure the sealing means 800 and retainer means 301 to        the base frame 110. These are package protections only if more        strength is required.    -   A datum area 850 for a base cover and a T-slot built into both        the retainer means 301 and the sealing means 800, see the T        shaped location projection 390 and the T-slots 391, 851 serve to        maximize and gain strength from the base frame 110 into the area        for base cover assembly.

The sub-assembly of the base frame 110, the retainer means 301 and thesealing means 800 forms a channel 900, see FIGS. 6 a and 6 b , forpositioning/locating a glass run seal 920 in particular allocated to acheater panel 640 as shown e.g. in FIG. 6 c . In the following theattachment of a base cover cap 150 and a base cover upper or upper basecover 180 are described with reference to FIGS. 6 c to 6 f:

-   -   The combination the base frame 110, the retainer means 301 and        the sealing means 800 forms the channel 900 which locates the        glass run seal 920 on to the exterior rear view device 1. The        glass run seal 920 runs along the cheater panel 640 and is an        extension of the glass run seal running along the window 1000        and being covered by a door trim 940 as shown in FIGS. 6 d and        7.    -   The base cover cap 180 clips to the base frame 110, see FIG. 6 d        , and also the upper base cover 190 is attached by clip        connection, see FIG. 6 e . The clip connection may be located        behind a chrome wait finisher (not shown).    -   The cheater panel 640 pushes the glass run seal 920 into the        correct position inside the channel 900 while being assembled.        The base cover cap 180 and the upper base cover 190 assemble in        such a way that when rotating into their position a sealing lip        of the glass run seal 920 is pushed against the cheater panel        640 sealing the gap between the base cover cap 180 and the upper        base cover 190 on the one side and the cheater panel 640 on the        other side, see FIG. 6 f.

Thus, the exterior rear view device 1 holds the glass run seal 920 in asolid position as shown in FIG. 6 f . This provides a very pleasingoverall appearance suggesting that the exterior rear view device 1extends or rather grows out of a wait finisher 940 covering a part ofthe glass run seal 920, see FIG. 7 .

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that theinvention disclosed herein is not limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed, and is intended to cover modifications within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 exterior rear view device-   2 vehicle-   100 base assembly-   110 base frame-   115 door attachment portion-   116 arm-   117 head attachment portion-   120 location pin-   121 T shaped location projection-   123 camera harness guiding channel portion-   124 opening for harness holder-   125 location projection-   126 location projection-   127 location projection-   131 screw opening-   132 screw opening-   135 step for sealing means clip-   136 step for sealing means clip-   137 opening for sealing means clip-   138 opening for sealing means clip-   140 harness guiding channel portion-   180 base cover cap-   190 upper base cover-   200 head assembly-   210 actuator assembly-   220 lower case-   222 opening of lower case-   300 retainer assembly-   301 retainer means-   310 sealing portion-   315 clips-   316 clip-   320 holding portion-   322 opening for location pin-   340 camera harness guiding channel portion-   350 hook-   351 opening for arm of T shaped location projection-   360 clip-   371 opening-   372 opening-   380 opening for sealing means clip-   390 T shaped location projection-   391 T-slot-   400 harness-   410 camera harness-   420 guiding channel-   500 harness holder-   510 fixing tie-   520 clip-   605 door panel-   610 opening for hook-   620 opening for location pin-   631 screw opening-   632 screw opening-   640 cheater panel-   700 camera-   710 turn signal indicator-   800 sealing means in form of 2K door gasket-   810 clips-   820 clips-   830 clips-   840 clips-   850 datum area for upper case-   851 T-slot-   881 screw opening-   882 screw opening-   900 channel-   920 glass run seal-   940 door trim-   1000 window

The invention claimed is:
 1. A retainer assembly adapted to be installedbetween a base assembly of an exterior rear view device and a vehicle towhich the exterior rear view device is mounted, the retainer assemblycomprising: a retainer means adapted to be mounted on one side to a doorattachment portion of a base frame of the base assembly and on theopposite side to a door panel of the vehicle, wherein the retainer meanscomprises, at least one opening for allowing at least one datumstructural element of the door attachment portion of the base frame topass thereto, at least one guiding projection or at least one guidingchannel portion for providing at least part of a guiding channel forrouting or guiding at least one harness from the vehicle to an electriccomponent of the rear view device, at least one sealing portion forcovering at least a portion of the at least one harness, and a T-shapedlocation projection that is configured to fit within a T-slot in a datumarea for a base cover in order to secure the datum area for the basecover to the retainer means.
 2. The retainer assembly of claim 1,wherein the at least one opening is provided by a holding portion of theretainer means, with a first opening allowing a location pin of the doorattachment portion to pass thereto, and at least one second openingallowing the T-shaped location projection of the door attachment portionto pass thereto.
 3. The retainer assembly of claim 2, wherein the datumarea for the base cover is oriented in a substantially horizontaldirection.
 4. The retainer assembly of claim 3, wherein the retainermeans further comprises a door panel datum system to secure the retainermeans to the door panel, the door panel datum system being oriented in asubstantially vertical direction.
 5. The retainer assembly of claim 4,wherein the door panel datum system comprises the first opening and theat least one second opening.
 6. The retainer assembly of claim 1,wherein a hook is provided by a holding portion for attachment to thedoor panel, and at least one clip is provided by the holding portion forattachment to the door attachment portion, with the hook and the atleast one clip extending in opposite directions.
 7. The retainerassembly of claim 6, wherein the hook is adapted to hold the rear viewdevice in Y direction to assist an assembly thereof to the door panelvia screws, the at least one clip determines a final assembly Z positionof the rear view device, the at least one clip is arranged next to thefirst opening, the hook provides the at least one second opening, andthere are at least two clips.
 8. The retainer assembly of claim 1,further comprising: a sealing means adapted to be mounted on theretainer means, by being attached to the retainer means via at least onesnap or clip connection or to the door attachment portion via at leastone screw, clips or snap connection, wherein the sealing means isprovided with at least one datum area for a base cover.
 9. The retainerassembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retainer meansforms as a single component from plastic, and the sealing means is inform of a two component door gasket.